Editing Ayn Rand (section)

=== Ethics and politics ===
In ethics, Rand argued for [[Rational egoism|rational]] and [[ethical egoism]] (rational self-interest), as the guiding moral principle. She said the individual should "exist for his own sake, neither sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself".<ref>Wright, Darryl. {{" '}}A Human Society': Rand's Social Philosophy". In {{harvnb|Gotthelf|Salmieri|2016|p=163}}.</ref> Rand referred to egoism as "the virtue of selfishness" in her [[The Virtue of Selfishness|book of that title]].{{sfn|Kukathas|1998|p=55}} In it, she presented her solution to the [[is–ought problem]] by describing a [[meta-ethical]] theory that based morality in the needs of "man's survival <em>qua</em> man", which requires the use of a rational mind.{{sfn|Badhwar|Long|2020}} She condemned ethical altruism as incompatible with the requirements of human life and happiness,{{sfn|Badhwar|Long|2020}} and held the [[initiation of force]] was evil and irrational,{{sfn|Gotthelf|2000|p=91}} writing in ''Atlas Shrugged'' that "Force and mind are opposites".{{sfn|Sciabarra|2013|p=252}}

Rand's ethics and politics are the most criticized areas of her philosophy.{{sfn|Den Uyl|Rasmussen|1986|p=165}} Several authors, including [[Robert Nozick]] and William F. O'Neill in two of the earliest academic critiques of her ideas,{{sfn|Gladstein|1999|pp=100, 115}} said she failed in her attempt to solve the is–ought problem.{{sfn|Sciabarra|2013|p=224}} Critics have called her definitions of ''egoism'' and ''altruism'' biased and inconsistent with normal usage.{{sfn|Sciabarra|2013|p=220}} Critics from religious traditions oppose her [[atheism]] and her rejection of altruism.{{sfn|Baker|1987|pp=140–142}}

Rand's political philosophy emphasized [[individual rights]], including [[Private property|property rights]]. She considered ''[[laissez-faire]]'' [[capitalism]] the only moral social system because in her view it was the only system based on protecting those rights.{{sfn|Gotthelf|2000|pp=91–92}} Rand opposed [[Collectivism and individualism|collectivism]] and [[statism]],<ref>Lewis, John David & Salmieri, Gregory. "A Philosopher on Her Times: Ayn Rand's Political and Cultural Commentary". In {{harvnb|Gotthelf|Salmieri|2016|p=353}}.</ref> which she considered to include many specific forms of government, such as [[communism]], [[fascism]], [[socialism]], [[theocracy]], and the [[welfare state]].<ref>Ghate, Onkar. {{" '}}A Free Mind and a Free Market Are Corollaries': Rand's Philosophical Perspective on Capitalism". In {{harvnb|Gotthelf|Salmieri|2016|p=233}}.</ref> Her preferred form of government was a [[constitutional]] republic that is limited to the protection of individual rights.{{sfn|Peikoff|1991|pp=367–368}} Although her political views are often classified as [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]] or [[libertarian]], Rand preferred the term "radical for capitalism". She worked with conservatives on political projects but disagreed with them over issues such as religion and ethics.{{sfn|Burns|2009|pp=174–177, 209, 230–231}}{{sfn|Doherty|2007|pp=189–190}} Rand rejected [[anarchism]] as a naive theory based in [[subjectivism]] that would lead to collectivism in practice,{{sfn|Sciabarra|2013|pp=261–262}} and denounced libertarianism, which she associated with anarchism.{{sfn|Sciabarra|2013|pp=248–249}}{{sfn|Burns|2009|pp=268–269}}

Several critics, including Nozick, have said her attempt to justify individual rights based on egoism fails.<ref>Miller, Fred D., Jr. & Mossoff, Adam. "Ayn Rand's Theory of Rights: An Exposition and Response to Critics". In {{harvnb|Salmieri|Mayhew|2019|pp=135–142}}</ref> Others, like libertarian philosopher [[Michael Huemer]], have gone further, saying that her support of egoism and her support of individual rights are inconsistent positions.<ref>Miller, Fred D., Jr. & Mossoff, Adam. "Ayn Rand's Theory of Rights: An Exposition and Response to Critics". In {{harvnb|Salmieri|Mayhew|2019|pp=146–148}}</ref> Some critics, like [[Roy Childs]], have said that her opposition to the initiation of force should lead to support of anarchism, rather than limited government.{{sfn|Sciabarra|2013|p=260, 442 n33}}{{sfn|Gladstein|1999|p=116}}